Steel company lays off 600 Trinidadian workers

The Steel Workers Union of Trinidad and Tobago has denounced the decision of the ArcelorMittal Point Lisas, a subsidiary of the world’s leading steel and mining company, to lay off 600 employees with immediate effect.

The union says the company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, sent letters to all its workers laying them off with immediate effect.

It said that only a few workers would remain on the plant for maintenance purposes from the period December 7 to January 15 next year.

In its statement, ArcelorMittal, said it had been unable to reach an agreement with the union on a proposal for workers with accrued vacation days to proceed on paid vacation.

It also wanted workers who do not have vacation leave to engage in alternative functions on a temporary basis outside of their normal duties.

The company said that as a result of the failure to reach an agreement it has had no option but to begin laying-off workers.